Barney McMahon | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 December 1928 |
| Died | 25 October 2010 (aged 81) |
| Allegiance |  Ireland |
| Service | Irish Air Corps |
| Years of service | 1949-1989 |
| Rank | Brigadier general |
| Commands | Irish Air Corps (1984-1989) |
| Spouse(s) | Cecelia |
| Children | 2 sons, 2 daughters |
Brigadier General Brian "Barney" McMahon DSM (1 December 1928 – 25 October 2010) was an Irish Defence Forces officer. He joined the Irish Air Corps in 1949 as a cadet and qualified as a pilot in 1952. In 1962 he was one of two pilots sent to collect from France the Corps' first helicopters, two Aérospatiale Alouette III aircraft. McMahon flew these for the Corps' Air Sea Rescue Unit including a cliff rescue mission for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. He was also awarded the Ordre national du Mérite for his work in promoting Franco-Irish co-operation in military aviation. From 1984 until his retirement in 1989 McMahon commanded the Irish Air Corps.